Power outage forces Orange County Courthouse to close

GOSHEN — The Orange County Courthouse remains closed on Wednesday because of a power outage, believed to have been caused by an animal.

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By HEATHER YAKIN

recordonline.com

By HEATHER YAKIN

Posted Nov. 14, 2012 at 2:00 AM

By HEATHER YAKIN
Posted Nov. 14, 2012 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

GOSHEN — The Orange County Courthouse remains closed on Wednesday because of a power outage, believed to have been caused by an animal.

Orange County spokeswoman Kristin Jensen said Public Works employees discovered the outage when they began arriving for the day at 7 a.m. County offices were closed Monday for Veterans Day, and it's unclear when the outage began. The electrical snafu was apparently "the result of animal contact with a main switch that caused two fuses to blow," according to County Executive Ed Diana's office, but it's unclear what kind of animal.

Unaware of the power problems, at least 200 people showed up Tuesday morning for court, and waited.

About 10:10 a.m., court officers announced anyone there for jury duty was dismissed for the day. Shortly before 10:30 a.m., court officers announced the building was closing for the day.

Late Tuesday afternoon, the county announced that the courthouse would remain closed on Wednesday; the county had to wait until Wednesday morning for delivery of a needed part so DPW employees and an electrical contractor can complete the repairs.

Emergency applications for Supreme and Family courts will be handled Wednesday at the Surrogate Court at 30 Park Place, Goshen. Jurors should call 476-3604 after 5 p.m. to see if they must report Thursday for jury duty.